Why I Disagree with Porochista Khakpour and Her Cultural Marxist Ideology
By Bobby Darvish - darvishintelligence.blogspot.com
As an Iranian-American ex-Muslim, former vegan, and now a Christian conservative member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I am no stranger to the complex web of identities that shape our personal and cultural perspectives. My journey has led me to embrace faith, conservative values, and a commitment to individual responsibility, which are increasingly at odds with the ideologies propagated by figures like Porochista Khakpour. Khakpour, an Iranian-American author known for her outspoken activism, often promotes perspectives aligned with cultural Marxism. In this piece, I aim to share why her ideology, rooted in division, undermines both individual empowerment and the values that foster a healthy society.
The Roots of Cultural Marxism and Khakpour’s Influence
Cultural Marxism, as I see it, seeks to dismantle the core tenets of Western civilization by dividing people along lines of race, gender, religion, and class. This ideology operates under the guise of social justice, promoting the belief that Western values—values that protect freedom, personal autonomy, and meritocracy—are inherently oppressive. In my view, this divisive framework often fails to address real issues and instead cultivates a grievance-driven mentality that corrodes social cohesion.
Khakpour's writings and interviews often reflect these very themes, aligning with a Marxist worldview that elevates collective victimhood over personal resilience. For instance, she has publicly discussed her struggles as an immigrant and has lamented what she perceives as systemic injustices within the American and Western cultural framework. While there is undoubtedly value in exploring identity and cultural challenges, Khakpour’s approach leans heavily on a narrative that portrays individuals from non-Western backgrounds as perpetual victims of an oppressive system. This narrative, I believe, misguides individuals toward resentment rather than resilience.
The Iranian-American Experience: Victimhood vs. Resilience
As someone who grew up in both Iran and America, I understand the struggles and conflicts of adapting to new cultures and ideologies. My life in Iran was marked by hardships, persecution, and the looming threat of violence under an oppressive regime. Moving to America provided an opportunity for freedom, growth, and the chance to pursue success based on individual merit. Unlike Khakpour, I view America not as an inherently oppressive force, but as a nation that, despite its imperfections, offers unparalleled freedom and opportunities for self-reinvention.
Khakpour’s perspective suggests that Iranian-Americans and other immigrants should focus on their victimhood rather than embracing the opportunities for growth that America provides. This perspective, to me, diminishes the resilience and fortitude of the Iranian people. Our history and culture are rooted in strength, endurance, and adaptability—qualities that helped me transition from a challenging life in Iran to a fulfilling life in America. By choosing to adopt a mindset that emphasizes resilience over victimhood, I found myself empowered, rather than hindered, by my identity.
Individual Responsibility: A Conservative Perspective
A central tenet of my faith and my conservative worldview is the belief in individual responsibility. This concept is not only crucial for personal growth but also for a thriving society. Khakpour’s ideology, rooted in cultural Marxism, often seeks to erode the sense of personal responsibility by blaming external systems for personal difficulties. This approach, in my experience, is counterproductive. While systemic issues certainly exist, emphasizing personal responsibility enables us to overcome challenges without succumbing to bitterness or resentment.
In my own life, I have seen the importance of this principle time and again. I moved away from veganism not only for health reasons but because it became clear to me that taking responsibility for my well-being was essential for living a full and grounded life. Similarly, my departure from Islam was a step toward accepting individual accountability in my spiritual journey. The values I now embrace as a Christian and a conservative have reinforced my belief in the power of personal responsibility over victimhood narratives.
The LDS Faith and the Value of Unity
As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I am taught to view all individuals as children of God. This perspective has instilled in me a profound respect for unity, empathy, and charity, which starkly contrasts with the divisive nature of cultural Marxism. In my faith, we are encouraged to focus on building communities of service, mutual respect, and personal growth rather than amplifying grievances and cultivating resentment.
Khakpour’s ideology, by contrast, promotes an “us versus them” mentality that, in my view, fosters division rather than unity. The idea that certain groups are perpetually oppressed, while others are perpetual oppressors, is fundamentally incompatible with the teachings of my faith. LDS doctrine emphasizes repentance, personal growth, and mutual respect, all of which are hindered by the divisive frameworks found in cultural Marxism.
Conclusion: Why I Choose a Path of Resilience
Ultimately, I choose to distance myself from Porochista Khakpour’s ideology because it does not empower individuals to overcome challenges and build meaningful lives. Instead, it perpetuates a cycle of victimhood and resentment that I believe is harmful to individuals and society as a whole. My experiences as an Iranian-American, an ex-Muslim, a former vegan, and now a Christian conservative have taught me the importance of resilience, personal responsibility, and unity—values that are central to both my faith and my conservative beliefs.
In rejecting Khakpour’s cultural Marxist ideology, I am not denying the struggles faced by Iranian-Americans or any other immigrant communities. Instead, I am advocating for a perspective that uplifts individuals by encouraging them to embrace resilience over victimhood. America is not perfect, but it is a land of opportunity, and embracing this truth has been instrumental in my journey. My hope is that others can find similar empowerment by focusing on personal growth, faith, and unity rather than adopting divisive ideologies.
Citations
Lukács, György. History and Class Consciousness: Studies in Marxist Dialectics. MIT Press, 1971.
Gramsci, Antonio. Selections from the Prison Notebooks of Antonio Gramsci. International Publishers, 1971.
Khakpour, Porochista. “Porochista Khakpour on Identity and the Trauma of the Immigrant Experience.” Los Angeles Review of Books, 2016. https://lareviewofbooks.org.
Ball, Terence. "The Rediscovery of Civil Society: Liberal, Conservative, Populist, and Neo-Marxist Perspectives." Perspectives on Political Science, vol. 23, no. 3, 1994, pp. 135–143.
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Doctrine and Covenants.
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